Monday, July 27, 2009

My newest pattern--well, actually, a couple of new patterns--will debut at Sock Summit, at the Shalimar Yarns booth: The Villette Fingerless Gloves are today's pattern-of-the-day...

Sweet and just a bit nostalgic, these little gloves are just the right weight for autumn and spring. They're also the perfect size to wear in a chilly office (I've worked in places where the A/C was so cold I couldn't even type!) or in a drafty, older home. The Villette Fingerless Gloves were a natural extension of my Villette Socks pattern (which will also be available at Sock Summit).

The gloves begin with a knotted picot cast on, which incorporates a "nupp-like" stitch, then flow into the simple-yet-effortlessly-lovely Villette Lace. Yarn-over increases shape the thumb gusset, mirroring the openwork pattern. The result is a delicate floral scallop at the wrist, and a stretchy lace fabric that moves with your hand.

Charley says: These Villette Fingerless Gloves are the cat's meow!

Certainly, you could do a picot bind off, too, but I chose instead to use a pretty twisted rib, which won't get in the way of busy fingers. You can customize the Villette Fingerless Gloves so easily: make the arms longer, incorporate beads into the cast on edge...these possibilities are just part of the pattern's charm.

To see the Villette gloves--as well as my other sock-yarn-based patterns--head on over to the Shalimar Yarns booth at Sock Summit.

On the past two Sundays, I've led a workshop (one of Eleganza Yarns' Sunday Sojourns) based on my Vienna Shrug pattern. Kristi loves this lacy little piece of knitting (which I made sure to offer in a wide range of sizes!), and writes on her blog:

This is possibly the most perfect shrug...Totally customizable for any season, the Vienna Shrug is a great entrée into lace knitting, picking up stitches, provisional cast on, and seaming. Besides being lovely, the Vienna Shrug doesn't use much yarn...

Customize the Vienna Shrug by increasing the ribbing to cover more ribcage and produce a lovely foldover collar. Currently a three-season shrug, the ribbing on the three-quarter length sleeves can be extended to the wrist, making a wonderfully cozy garment for chilly midwinter days.

Having already knit a sample in the luscious Damson color (above), I decided to see what magic would result from combining Noro Silk Garden with this simple side-to-side garment. Here's a peek at my project, which I hope to finish in time for my trip to Sacramento later this month:

I do think it's going to be a very pretty little sweater. Not that I'll need one in the 100+ degree weather with which Sac is blessed this time of year. But airplanes and restaurants are always chilly, so I think I'll be glad of a silky little shoulder warmer.

Coming up, I have a new sock pattern to show you, named Kamille (Norwegian for Chamomile). It's chock-a-block with twisted stitches that loop their way from tip to toe. And it's ready just in time for Sock Summit!

I'll also have a bit of yarn porn for you. We all love looking at other people's stashes, right? So c'mon back and check it out later this week. Till then: Happy knitting!

P.S.Do plan to spend some time at the Shalimar booth if you're heading to the big gathering in Portland, Oreg. Kristi and Paul will have a slew of gorgeous yarn, some sock-needle-sized "Needle Bangles" (stitch markers, mady by moi, for this special occasion), and other great items.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

First: My Clover Honey Shawlette pattern will appear in the next One Skein Wonders book from Storey Publishing. I love the One-Skein Wonders books (101 One-Skein Wonders, 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders, and Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders, all edited by Judith Durant). They're fun to browse, and the patterns are enticing.

The new book will focus on sock yarns. Mmm...I love knitting with fine yarn.

This tutorial outlines, in detail, the beaded bind-off technique used in the Clover Honey Shawlette pattern. It's easy and you don't have to run out and buy special equipment -- you likely already have all you need. Just add yarn and beads and you're ready to go!

Adding beads to your knitting can spice it up and lend a lovely finishing touch your FOs. So give it a try and enjoy yourself -- whether you decide to be subtle or all-out-glamorous...

Happy knitting!

For more information about purchasing the Clover Honey Shawlette pattern, contact: ShalimarYarns@aol.com

Monday, July 06, 2009

This book could not have entered my life at a more opportune time. During the past several weeks, my life was more chaotic than usual -- not the typical crazy-day chaos, but that dire, nerve-wracking, anxiety-producing stuff. You probably know what I mean.

In the midst of this nonsense, however, a little whisper of sanity beckoned: "Pick up your needles and knit for a while...You'll feel better..." You know, when I finally sat down for a few hours with my EZ Pi Shawl, I did feel better; and that good, calm mood lasted the rest of the day.

Thus, I was reminded (again) how important my knitting is to me, what it brings to my life: the peacefulness, the self-expression, the community, the meditative, healing, joyous, artistic, blissful THING that is knitting (and crochet, and quilting, embroidery, or whatever floats your boat).

That feeling--and, specifically, sharing it with others--is what Knit It Together is about.

New Skills Blanket, the perfect group project, designed by Suzyn Jackson

The ConceptKnit It Together, according to Jackson, is "an anthology of essays, stories, tips, and knitting patterns, celebrating the awesomeness of knitting in groups." Yet, when you just can't break away from home or work to hang out with your fiber-cronies, the companionship this lovely book offers can feel comforting as a knitting circle.

Jackson writes:

I set out to assemble this book using the widest possible definition of a knitting circle: more than one knitter, period. I also started with an idea for collaborative knitting projects, projects specifically designed to be knit by a group. Like any good knitting circle, I welcomed a wide range of people.

I like to think of the result as my knitting circle: a collection of writers and designers who have thought deeply about how a community of knitters can bridge divides, spread goodwill, and strengthen us all.

Created specially for knitters involved in (or who want to start) a knitting group, who enjoy knitting for charity, or who simply enjoy knitting straightforward patterns for themselves and others, Knit It Together, like a good restaurant menu, includes something for just about everyone.The ProjectsWant projects? You'll find some very cute ideas in Knit It Together. Here are some of my favorites...

Harlequin Purse, designed by Suzyn Jackson

Learning new skills is an integral part of Knit It Together. Jackson begins with a fun little handbag (or knitting bag!) designed to offer a gentle challenge to those who haven't yet tried knitting Entrelac (an intriguing method of building an object by picking up stitches to work rows of little squares--or rectangles, or diamonds...).

What do you need to take on a challenge? Some people need a supportive environment with plenty of help along the way, while others thrive on competition. If several people take on this entrelac purse, you’ll get plenty of both types of encouragement. It’s a purse party!

Kristin Spurkland's pattern for these sweet little catnip sachets (AKA: objects that must be bitten, licked, and torn apart with tooth and claw) are lovely compensation for the feline muses who inspire so many knitters. In her introduction to the project, Jackson writes:

Double knitting looks like flat knitting and is just as easy, but when you remove the knitting needles from the work, the knitting magically opens into a little knitted bag! Fill with batting and some catnip (or potpourri if the pillow is for people), add a French knot, graft the pillow closed, and you’re done.

Couldn't be easier, right? And the results are charming. No kitty muse at your house? Why not make a few, fill them with lavender or dried roses, and wrap them up as bridal shower favors? Already, ideas are sparking and I'm feeling inspired to play with yarn.

Stripes and Spots Toy, designed by Suzyn Jackson

Speaking of play, check out this absolutely adorable baby toy--I love it! But behind its oh-so-cute exterior lurks intelligence and childhood development research. According to Jackson...

Newborn babies can’t see very well. Not only do they need to learn to use the muscles that control their eye movements and focus, but they also have to build the connections in their brain that help them understand what they are seeing. Visual stimulation is crucial for this process, and high-contrast patterns provide the strongest stimulation.This is the idea behind this little toy. That, and the fact that I love a gender-neutral baby gift that isn’t green or yellow!...This toy has a different stimulating black-and-white pattern on each side.

But Wait--There's More (A Lot More!)An experienced knitter and writer, Jackson peppered her ultra-readable book with first-person narratives about the experience of living, learning, and creating in the midst of other knitters. Additionally, Knit It Together features several projects that would make ideal donations to charitable organizations, and includes a list of charities that accept knitted items.

From the first chapter, which offers historical background on social knitting and knitting circles, to an essay about attending the Elizabeth Zimmermann/Meg Swansen Knitting Camp, this book gives us a glimpse into the lives and passions of devoted knitters.

If you're a bit of an activist, you'll appreciate the focus on groups that aim to fight poverty with art or to use knitting as a political statement. And, in my car-and-racing-loving family, the knitted Ferari was a big hit--even my husband and father-in-law got a kick out of that one...Now, I just have to figure out how to talk them out of asking me to make one for them!

Baby Uey Diaper [or knitting]Bag, designed by Vyvyan Neel

Wrapping everything up, the sixth and final chapter offers invaluable advice about finishing techniques like blocking and seaming. Jackson urges knitters to use this book to learn new techniques together, in a setting where group members can support each other, help each other, and cheer each other on. In fact, if your knitting group made every project in Knit It Together, you'd be expert knitters by the time you reached the end of the book.

For those of us who, when we aren't knitting, love reading about knitting, this book is a delight, offering many hours of happy page-flipping. And if you're searching for the perfect group project -- or something new to make on your own -- you'll probably find it here. In fact, this book may be the ultimate bedtime reading for yarn junkies, promising peaceful dreams of projects and possibilities.